Japanese uchikake (wedding gown) with a colorful design of flowers and birds done in the Tsujigahana-zome (dye) style. The old Tsujigahana dye technique was used on the clothing of the Muromachi to Momoyama period elites. Inside the tie dyed area, flowers and birds were painted with blue, purple and black ink. Tsujigahana-dye was short lived and completely vanished by the early 17th century because of its extreme complexity. This gown is very beautiful with many woven metal threads;...

An unusual chato (tea room sword) in the shape of an octopus, its 8 legs stretched out in uniform with one curled back exposing the suckers. Eyes are intimated on one side, with an old chip where the breathing hole is opposite. About the neck is wrapped a faded silk chord. It is 22 inches (56 cm) long. It is said that these wooden swords were produced from the mid to late Edo period, in lieu of swords for those not allowed to carry weapons (all but samurai). During the Edo it is true that ...

Beautiful Japanese maru obi! Obis can be used as a belt to hold a kimono together. The classic design from the Heian Period (794-1192AD) of ox carts, fans and court music instruments run throughout the front and back. The gold is woven into the fabric almost entirely and sparkles when it is hit by light – it has much gentler tones in the dark. The earth tone green and rusty brown are particularly pretty on this obi. With a thick padding inside, this obi will make a great decoration pi...

From our Chinese Monochrome Collection, a large carved ivory elephant bridge, late 19th century, depicting a procession of eight individual elephants of graduating size, nicely carved from a single tusk. The elephants are well-rendered and the ivory has a good buttery patina somewhat better than the photos reflect.

Interestingly, the artist's decision to carve eight elephants here is no accident: Those familiar with Chinese mythologies and cultural superstitions will immediately recognize...

This is an uchikake robe (outer kimono gown) probably used as Kabuki stage costume. The bottom and the openings of sleeves are thickly padded with cotton stuffing. The design is large paulownia leaves and flowers. The exterior and liner are both thick cotton. This robe is old, and a little soiled but the fabrics still have not lost it’s strength. It is an attractive display piece. One small tear (hole) in red liner in the back, some broken couching stitches.

48” (1.22m) wide...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a very rare and seldom seen Peranakan Chai Hup or ceremonial vegetable box, 19th century, used for food offerings to Tiangong, the God of Heaven, during traditional Baba Weddings.

The terms "Peranakan" or "Baba Nyonya" or "Straits Chinese" are often used interchangeably to describe the descendants of Ming Dynasty Chinese immigrants who settled along the Malay Peninsula, which encompasses parts of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. But the ethnograp...

Japanese sagemono (hanging object) tobacco pipe set consisting of a wood kiserutsuzu (pipe holder), kiseru (pipe), and wood tonkotsu (tobacco box) in the form of a humorous yawning Daruma with arms overhead grasping the two cords with his fists. The cords hold an ojime (sliding bead), which is attached to the pipe holder. Daruma’s body is kiri (pawlonia) wood and his eyes are inlaid with mother of pearl. His face lifts and functions as a cover for the tobacco box. A badger (tanuki) standin...

Large and heavy mirror pair of Chinese bronze Mandarin duck-form censers, or incense burners, with lotus stems trailing from open beaks and bodies decorated with molded lotus flowers and etched feathers. A removable pierced cover in the form of lotus flowers and stems is integrated into the feathers of the back. Each duck rests on a custom wood stand carved with water ripples. The incense smoke can exit through the opened beaks, a vent in the tail, and the pierced cover. A pair of Mandarin d...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, an exceptional Kashmiri kashkul or beggar's bowl, 19th century, modeled after the boat-shaped beggar's bowls used by Persian Sufi mystics. This fantastic vessel is composed of a metallic body, most likely copper alloy, that has been lacquered and then exquisitely painted with floral motifs in rich but subtle shades of blue, red, yellow, taupe, black, and with gilt highlights. It sits upon a slightly splayed foot and terminates in two dragon-head finials...

Chinese Ming dynasty (16th century) blue and white porcelain meiping vase with bell-shaped cover decorated overall with classical lotus flowers among scrolling leafy stems, separated into three layers. The shoulder features the lotus-filled ruyi collar motif. 11 ¼” high (9 ¾” high without the lid). Very good overall condition with typical flaws, small areas where the glaze did not completely cover, and microscopic scratches to the glaze. The vase is slightly misshapen. The lid is possibly ...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a large and absolutely stunning masterpiece of Annamese mother of pearl inlay work, 19th Century, Nguyen Dynasty Vietnam, depicting exquisitely rendered butterflies, flowers, crustaceans, scrolls, and geometric designs in superb quality mother of pearl inlaid against a dark brown rosewood base.

This fantastic tray truly represents the pinnacle of this art form. We have been fortunate to see the pieces held in the National Museum of Vietnamese History in...

From our Chinese Blue and White Collection, a very fine and well-painted Kangxi Period (1662-1722) porcelain dish with apocryphal Chenghua Period mark, depicting two elegant ladies looking out over a terrace with banana leaf plants and trees. Cross-hatched motifs decorate the border along with four vignettes of peaches signifying longevity. The reverse is decorated with stylized mountains on the outer rim, and a six character apocryphal Chengua Period mark is contained within double circles in ...

Beautiful and unusual Japanese antique kuruma tansu (storage chest on wheels), made all of heavy keyaki (elm) wood with iron hardware, front has sliding panels with horizontal slats, sides and back all have wooden bracing, interior left side has 4 drawers of different sizes with iron hardware, right side interior has hidden compartment that opens to reveal 2 secret boxes.

Late Edo Period

Size: 36 1/4" high x 38" wide x 23" deep.

Lidded crystal eyes gaze serenely down from the Rakans purchase high on the lofty temple walls. The face is expertly crafted, with a distinct Chinese air reflecting the fact the Rakan (Arahat) were all from the Continent. The robes of green, white and red are patterned with scrolling vines and dials. A dedication on back Appears to be Made for/by Konoike-mura Hachiuemon and is dated Ho-Ei 7 (1710). The new wooden base on which it stands states the piece was restored in 1993. One of likely 1...

Perhaps the best dragon carving we have ever owned, here is a solid Keyaki carving taken from the interior of a temple with glass eyes glaring fiercely out at anyone who threatens the sanctity of Buddhism. Flames leap from the body blown by fierce winds as it rises from the Churning ocean. The carving practically roils out from the wood panel, fully in three dimensions. It is 78 x 26 x 10 cm (31 x 10 x 4 inches). Please notice the yellow arrows in the last photos, as the whisker of the creat...

Pair of 19th century Chinese paper fans very finely and densely painted in extensive detail with figural scenes. One fan painting features beauties at a temple surrounded by clouds holding celestial maidens and a deer. A monkey is paying homage to a female who is seated on a lotus throne. The second fan painting depicts a scene with beauties engaged in various scholarly leisure activities. The fans date from the 19th century. They have been recently custom framed with archival materials against ...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a beautiful vintage Indian silk sari executed in a rich and lively multi-colored palette. The central panel uses purple and red silks along with gold thread woven into elaborate floral and geometric designs, and the borders use blue and green silks along with gold thread as well.

Size and Condition: This is a tremendous piece measuring 196 inches (16 1/3 feet) long, and 43 1/2 inches (3 1/2 feet) wide. Due to its size it is rather cumbersome t...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a beautiful vintage Indian silk sari executed in a rich fuscia colored silk and using silver threads woven into floral and geometric motifs.

Size and Condition: This is a tremendous piece measuring 179 inches (15 feet) long and 44 inches (3 1/2 feet) wide. Due to its size it is rather cumbersome to photograph, and so the photos are showing the piece folded and at only a fraction of its actual size. But the sections photographed are fully repr...